There are some misconceptions about the Harman Curve there. In short, it's a PREFERENCE curve generated by aggregate data and research. Companies tune to the curve NOT because it's necessarily the most accurate or the best, but because it's almost guaranteed to NOT be offensive to as many ears as possible. At least, that's been my understanding. From what I've read from other owners and reviewers, some ears have heard B2's shout. So Z isn't the only one.
Also, a number or people prefer things that are detail monsters that Zeos didn't prefer. LCD-4, for example. Some hold IEM's to the same standard as over ears, which is funny because Moondrop seems to follow the Over Ear Harman Target curve (yes there's an in ear curve, too, a lot of people think it's too bassy). Z prefers smoother signatures, and as a result the tradeoff is less raw detail. But he said it. He's just one guy.
@@CrossNZ As an addendum, and not to be overly pedantic, but the Harman Curve is so named because it was originated by Dr. Sean Olive & his Research Team while they worked for Harman International (of Harman Kardon), which is now part of Samsung/AKG. I'm not sure who purchased who first. I think Samsung might have picked up Harman, and then subsequently AKG, which is why AKG's new products are Harman-tuned. The K361 and K371, as well as the Samsung Galaxy Buds (Tuned by AKG) are some examples of this new direction. Edit: Harman purchased AKG in the 90's, Harman & AKG were then subsequently purchased by Samsung recently. As @Northern Dirt stated below.
You're right. I'm not a huge fan of the Harman curve myself. I prefer a few dB less on the bass-shelf, some more energy around 150-300Hz for additional warmth and body, and that upper midrange is a bit too much for me, and I prefer that to be toned down by a good amount. I don't exactly hate the Harman curve, I just learned over time that I have different preferences.
@@JSym92 sounds like you're kinda in-line with Crin's preferences? Have you heard the HA-FDX1 yet and/or tried any of the filters? Harman seems to work for me, personally. I'm not exactly sure how they measure, but my pair of iSine LX w/ the Cipher BT Cable (purchased a while ago) was the closest I've ever heard to the "Room with Speakers" ideal. I actually like the HA-FDX1 with empty filters, though the green banded filter also sounds good to me, the white banded empty ones don't sound too intense for my personal tastes. I guess that just means my ears are closer to the average tho.
B2 is no where near the accuracy of blessing 2. The issue of blessing 2 is there's some peaky unevenness around 6khz. Other than that blessing 2 is alm perfect. However this issue is a bit too much for me. So that's why.
My B2s just arrived from hifigo and let me tell you on word about them.. Phenomenal. Detail, separation, imaging, tonality, and resolution for this price is unheard of. I didn't know how much of an upgrade it would be to my zs10 pro w/ harman eq would be but it literally destroys it.
@@recode8453 I disagree. Making such a comparison really made me understand the difference between tuning/materials vs eq. I even tried to use convolution with the B2 using crinacles data and it made them sound even worse.
@@recode8453 Compare to what you've heard. Compared to the Tin T2, Starfield, KXXS, Polaris 2, Fiio FH5, they're better. Everyone has their own opinion. Mine is that these are good as hell and truly the last option before spending $800+
It's always good to remember that there is no absolute optimum. The foundation of the Harman curve is an emulation of how the frequency response of good speakers in a well-treated studio environment would sound, with a low-shelf to boost the bass a bit and a high-shelf to tone down the treble a bit, based on the average preferences of participants in their listening tests.
Came back to this review as there is a new version called the Moondrop x Crinacle Blessing2:Dusk. Apparently the iem reviewer crinacle has worked with the manufacturer to fix the tuning problem and "shoutiness".
@@heres_the_sauce I still found them shouty af. My ears started hurting. But I listened with my brother and he really liked them so I guess it varies person to person. I’d like to try the Tin planars in the that price range instead.
@@fallenpumpkinhead I was unimpressed in general with the MB2. Seriously, I've found $25 overseas stuff that had better low end performance, at half the weight, and wireless. Try to turn them up and it went in to distortion. Dissapointing.
this just landed in my ear and i would agree that it is a W, i hear the details that is in the background on some iem but in this it is kinda in front. The Separation is very good but the thing i like about this is the bass, it is not forward punch you in the face but it feels separate subtle and detailed. It's not mine, it is for jack replacement and pin repair.
I read somewhere that since these are so tuned to the harmon curve, they work well with eq adjustments, so maybe they're intended to be the endgame iems where you just switch the eq profile for a new flavor rather than switching iems out.
@@syahmimi1425 I'm back a year later after actually buying a pair for myself because I wanted to up my iem game since I'm good everywhere else and you're so right. I just can't get them to behave at all.
I own the Blessing 2 and have really enjoyed their sound signature. However, I was thinking of trading up to the Thieaudio Monarch or Clairvoyance. Yes, the bass on the Blessing 2 is a bit weak, thus the reason for the Dusk, but for $320, the Blessing 2 is worthy of all its praise. So, before I sold my Blessing 2 in order to spend up for one of the Thieaudio cans, I decided to do some tip rolling. I tried numerous foam and silicon tips; I will spare you all the details of each experience. But using Spinfit CP100 tips with proper insertion and fit (XL for my ears) changed my Blessing 2 IEMs dramatically from stock. I now have deep but clean and balanced bass to go along with detail and tonality. I now have saved myself a bunch of money as for me, my modified Blessing 2s are extremely satisfying and a keeper.
@@deykno87 the Teas are way better. I bought both at the same time and A/B them. The blessings are super clear like etymotic er2xr but with a tiny narrow and short soundstage located at the tip of your nose. The teas have the same detail but it’s not in your face like the blessings. I really couldn’t even listen to blessings - there’s also a tone issue no one is talking about but male vocals specially Gordon lightfoot sounded like a female. It was super weird. Go with the teas Soooo much better
Hello Z. I love your reviews. I just purchased the Thieaudio Voyager 14. No DD driver ,however the bass is amazing. Great IEM in my opinion. Well worth a review . I would love to hear your opinion. I trust your judgement. Take Care.
that is ear canal resonance, maybe this iem is not made for you and stop using foam tips for comfort mate... just use a good azla sedna tip and shove it deep as fuck so you can avoid resonance issue or get a ciem the issue with Blessing 2 is that spout of shell is so so thick and then you have foam tip, you cannot get a deep fit ever and thats may be causing you issue watching and liking your video for a pretty long period of time sir
In my opinion Blessing 2 outperform Legacy 3, in every aspect. Legacy 3 are ok, but without any wow effect. Blessing 2 sound like high end stuff. They have excelent separation, imaging, timbre and details (smooth, not agressive). I love my Moondrop Blessing 2.
I was like that with the Tin T2s. I just happened to get the Blon03s a week before the Tins and after like 3 songs i was like "no way...these are going back". But a lot of people love them. I will say that the Tins are very comfortable tho...I do miss the fit
exactly my thought when Im trying Tin T2. Im like "what the heck, people love this W signature? I though those audio person loved flat and pure sound" and the person who own it said to me "this is great flat sounding iems." What? but, I didnt refute him. Im just "okay I understand, let me hear your fav songs, maybe I'll like it."
Both of the reviewers I primarily watch (Zeos and BGGAR) don't like these, while also loving the Legacy 3's that I love. Good enough for me to ignore them.
@@noahdomingo1162 No idea, I just listen to his opinion on how audio gear sounds, I havening done background checks on everyone I watch on RU-vid to make sure they're not shitbags.
@@VelcroSnake93 I won't blame you for that, and I don't technically even discredit him for his opinions, but he's totally a douche and I don't support him at all.
@@noahdomingo1162 while I love his reviews, I do agree that his attitude, particularly towards other reviewers with a purist preference (i.e. neutral is good), is troubling. A set doesn't play HIS library to HIS liking, so anyone else with DIFFERENT tastes must be chills. That kind of bias has been plaguing his channel lately.
@@MrB10N1CLE And that's even ignoring that he is actually a douche outside of his reviews and has harassed companies so he can keep a set of iems and even stole some sets
Edit: they've grown on me. They've also literally fucked my ears to the point that they're comfortable now. Prefer them to the Starfield, Fiio FH5, 6XX or-ear or the $500 Campfire Polaris II for what it's worth. Well, mine are in, and I just CANNOT tell a much of a difference between the B2 and the Starfield. Slightly sharper treble on the Starfield. Cleaner, but less bass on the B2. Also, they're gigantic, and borderline painful even with the smallest tips. However, I imagine if you have big ears these would be supremely comfortable. IMO just buy the fucking starfield unless you hate treble peaks
@@TheBengganator They're wider than the Starfield, which I'm not crazy about. I've read a ton of reviews that point this out at a positive, though. Having said that, I still adore them. Shipped my Starfields out to a new home today. :)
After owning alot of TWS and wanting to try IEMS for the best passive isolation and audio quality.. It dawned me that with the price of the blessing 2, I could buy the best TWS.. I'm afraid that the noise cancellation might disappoint me.. BTW, I have the Tronsmart Apollo Bold and Sony Wh-1000XM4, the ANC is not that far off..
@@christianoberio815 B2 are basically giant ear plugs. I own the XM3 and never use them for music anymore, but I do use the noise cancelling. B2 won't replace ANC, but I have not yet found myself listening to or wearing them and wishing they had noise cancelling. And the sound is just phenomenal. My 2 cents :)
This is so accurate! My first week I had buyers remorse so hard and the pain was excruciating. Another week later, my ears actually got used to them and now they're super comfortable! The sound was also very intense but after the burn-in period my brain adjusted and the sound is just very balanced. Best money I ever spent.
As am I. BUT I also don't hear a huge difference left and right which would be more akin to unit variation. See what the public thinks, if this was a bum pair I'd need to go another round BUT(But again) I would also have to warn about unit variation. Makes it a PIA for a reviewer to seem honest if the product changes between each unit.
I appreciate your honesty. You liked the shuoer tapes and I purposely lost mine. Buried somewhere in the closet so I wouldn't have to hear them anymore. But others I've agreed with you on. Nobody hears exactly like another person it seems, so all we can do is experiment to discover our own preferences. I like the new iem channel
I have been expecting a meh from you far before you even got it and I gots it. I figured the signature is not for you considering all the things you liked/loved. But hey at least it's not Rai Penta
I have them. I initialy felt they were to bright. Then I loaded an eq profile for them. Now they sound great. I'm a bit dissapointed, I'd like them to be great without eq help.
Nice art z ... now I've got my phone linked Bluetooth to btr3 then that 3.5mm into little bear black second balanced version bx-4 and I've got radical sound z!!
I like these for specific genres. They are *very* aggressive, and some stuff just does not agree with them. I can handle listening to them for extended periods of time, but they are definitely not for everyone.
I fucked up. Saw this review. Saw a bunch of others. Bought into the hype. These are the most exhausting IEMs I've ever tried. They sound amazing for 2 songs then everything starts hurting. Bought direct from China and paid duties so can't return them.
It seems some manufacturers think shouty and high heavy items equal detail and soundstage... I still have a firm ear at 41 and I cannot stand these kinds of items. They hurt my ear and give me a headache. EDIT: KZ as10 is an example of unbearable. I love my Shuoer Tapes.
I was expecting Zeos to put the Blessing 2 on a pedestal due to him always praising Moondrop IEMs. I've previously only heard rave reviews about the Blessing 2, on how these IEMs have redefined the sub 500$ price bracket. I was going to buy these but decided to pick up the Starfields (Because they are significantly cheaper.) and buy the Blessing 2 if I like the Starfields (The Blessings are a apparently a step up from the Starfields.) I did not expect Zeos to not like the Blessing 2, a plot twist indeed on Z Reviews.
@@Weareonenation303 I got the Starfields first and now am considering the upgrade. Starfields are awesome but they are safe, hearing that the B2 have more soundstage and treble actually excites me, I have my cheap KZ for my bass needs so I think I need a good detail IEM now.
Just got these. Unimpressive. Compared to an off brand $25 pair from overseas, these had slightly better upper register performance, but struggled with the 18 to 26 hz area...which my cheapo brand does surprisingly better at. When I went to a tone generator, it regularly crackles and just flat fails in the 16k hz and up range. I was hoping to avoid wired ear buds, but really wanted something louder. The sacrifice in fit, weight, cost and a barely noticeable set of improved performance certainly isn't worth the money to me. Especially since the increased volume it WAS capable of just went to distortion as soon as we got in to the volume ranges above what my daily set could handle. 35 years of experience in music. Not a noob here. I'll try some more expensive stuff, but I'm so though on gear I may just have to deal with the fact that repeatedly buying a surprisingly well made, but cheap, product a couple times a year is better than spending hundreds on some thing that might register as 5% better in performance plus a whole lot of wired hassle.
@@Lindaine I also love the original T2. Amazing clarity. Just got the T2 plus as well. Its a great sounding set that you might like. More bass than the original T2 but nowhere near as much as on the bl03 and the treble is very well tamed.
Aww... for anyone who owns these, how do they sound with Made in Abyss 2, Trinity Seven, Kekkai Sensen OST's etc.. And songs like Heavensward FFXIV, Brave Song/My Song from Angel Beats, Tavito Nanao Abracadabra & Minecraft Dry Hands.. lol
seems like Zeos is not using a filter on it. Blessing 2's treble gets smoothened dramatically with a filter. Also, it's not quite Harman tuned, but rather diffuse field tuned, with a little bit more bass.
@@FriedEgg101 I'm from Germany, so your mileage may vary. I'm an ICU nurse and we use the term "Thorax" a lot. Thoraxchirurgie (thoracic surgery), Thoraxtrauma, Thoraxdrainage and so on and so forth
Zeos I have to say, I saw this review and said , there's no way the rest of the internet is wrong... Everyone sings praises of the Blessing 2 like it's the second coming! But just like you said, it's weird sounding, shouty, and while it has a sound I could see some people liking, if all they listened too was a particular genre; for me; that basically listens to everything, I'm definitely struggling with these. They definitely have good aspects - but something about the entire package just doesn't mesh for me at all :-(
UPDATE! Change the cable ... Different sounding headphone .... Now I see what all the fuss is about . Consequently now being driven balanced - So take that FWIW.
@@mr_5htman literally transformed the sound. I honestly believe the stock cable was defective. The stock cable had the sound Zeos described, not at all something I found appealing either. Swapped the cable and everything fell into place, deep bass, extended highs, coherent sound with sweet mids. My new favorite IEM!
@@homiedclown19 I see. It looks like you indeed got a defective cable. My unit sounds pretty good with the stock cable. You say that the issues mentioned by Z got corrected with a new cable, does this include the timing of BA drivers and them positioning the sound at weird places? Like you can hear this in the track No more No more by Aerosmith when he says No more No more, the vocals are in center whereas they aren't exactly center on any other iem I tried. Thanks for the reply!
Na, it's sophisticated. Moondrop is great, KZ/CCA is great, Fiio is great, Blon is great, Ikko is great, Tin is great, TRN is great, TRI is great, Chi-Fi is amazing. So are other IEM's from other countries, just Chinase labour (sorry Chinease workers 😔) is so cheap (and other reasons) have lead to such amazing Earphones at amazing prices. Moondrop especially though is great, they are top-dog.
Future Zeos needs a raise..Legacy 3 are legit. Blessing 2 not for me, but as you've said others prolly like.. Oh btw Z you see tin posted on Twitter..looks like P2 is coming
I've been planning to get the KXXS (rip KXXX) after getting the Starfields. Is the B2s worth the extra or do I just bite the bullet and get the KXXS and wait for new Gold IEM Moondrop is teasing. Still those Moondrop headphones look clean but is definitely too deep for my budget.
Also should mention that B2 hype killed production. MOONDROP can't make enough B2 for the people that have already ordered one, as of posting this comment.
What I say below is not meant to be negative but in fact meant to help those in this hobby. Especially those who're newer as most people who're new to this hobby seem to take the Harman Target/Curve for to seriously. The Harmon Target/Curve claims to be what the majority of listeners like. Do people actually believe that a sample size of 249 people would represent the majority of headphone listeners? We have no idea what music they listened to or the equipment they used and again it was only a sample size of 249 people. It's ridiculous and a joke that should not be taken seriously, ever. It's nothing more than a marketing ploy that went mainstream and I really wish people would wake up.
its interesting how some audiophiles basically call this their price to performance endgame (superstar, crinacle) but others would rather get anything else at that price (zeos, bad guy). goes to show sound is highly subjective and you should try something before buying if you can!
Hello friend, could you please tell me if the dunu dk301pro is better in sound quality than the moondrop blessing2 and the Tin P2, apart from having different sound signatures? what is the in sq; thank you for your answer
I try to found an ATC sounding iem .. analytical but not bright or aggressive and I CANT.. unique melody mest ii has natural analytical temble but as usual they have also sub bass enhancement..B2 has more linear middle bass section but..has agressive upper register..This is the usual strory..or they are harman cardon..Please make an atc iem come on!I doubt i am the only one that wants it..Even etymotic the upper register graph is a little bit lifted but they have that strange fit ..i ordered them lets hope i ll get use to it IF i like them..
i hope these are much better suited for rock than the starfields are. i followed the hype for the starfields and it was a big mistake as they suck for the music i listen to
Hello i have a little off topic, i Hope anyone can Help me: i have a small "audiophile" Setup. I have a Creative Sound Z in my PC the soundcard Connect to my beyerdenemics A20 and then to my Headphones (stax, Aeon etc). Ist my soundcard a bottleneck? Ps.: Z Love U :3
In my opinion, sound cards should be avoided if at all possible, especially when you've invested in expensive headphones. I'd recommend a Topping DAC, even the cheap Topping D10 for $90 is awesome.
Why would you base your purchase on what Zeos or Joshua like ? Nobody have the same earing because of individual ear canal resonance that are not the same so the Blessing 2 will not sound the same for you and Zeos or you and Joshua. Trust you ears, do not trust anyone, watch this (from 10: 50 to 13: 50) : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-a-JGAobDwGs.html
I like a real ice cream cake... not the fake rock hard cake between a frozen log of ice cream... It needs to be moist layers of freshly baked cake still warm with layers of premium ice cream softend and smooth'd in between the cake with a silicone spatula like you fold whip cream... The layer of cake needs to be hot/warms so that it starts to melt the ice cream and absorb the goodness. That is a real ice cream cake not some cheap processed crap from Carvel or Coldstone Creamery.
I got the Tin P1, thought it sounded like a less bright tin t2 but not really anymore detailed. More just that you don't have as much highs making things like rock sound piercing.
Coming from a Live Sound Engineer background...I think, if you’re going to buy IEM’s, you might as well go with a professional brand like Shure (non-custom), 64 Audio (custom and non-custom I think), Ultimate Ears (only custom I think), etc.
I have had Shure iems and I used them for a year and then got the tin t2s and they were WAY better than the shures I had. Like pretty much in every way, I would love to try 64 audio though, I've heard good things but I don't have a grand just for iems lol
I have a Westone UM-1, which I believe is also a professional brand, and those are the single most boring and dull IEMs I've ever had. A 10$ Panasonic IEM I bought 20 years ago which has boomy, uncontrolled bass and veiled vocals is more engaging than UM-1.
For $ 26.99 the Blon 03 are better in every respect(except the cable) sound wise than shure. The shells are better, these "professional" iems were once upon a time better, now they're overpriced for what you can get. Another example, thieaudio legacy 9,sound is fantastic, wooden shells, the cable is top notch, the packaging, $549,will beat any(objectively speaking of course) "professional" iem out there. There are many other examples. Ch-fi has now become High-Fi. Legit.
How very interesting. I loved the AFO, Zeos hated them. I absolutely love the B2 sound-wise, Zeos doesn't like them. They would be my favourite IEM set if not for how uncomfortable they are.
You know nothing about harman curve. It defined by Sean Olive. For all people, about Harman curve, you better know nothing or learn how it happens completely.
he even don't understand what is instrument accuracy , he said this have fkked up accuracy when most of reviewer said it has above average(which for an iem rare to find) soundstage and instrument accuracy .
MrMuunster Yeah, i’ve bought a couple things because I fell for the hype only to be extremely disappointed in my purchase. I’ve just learned that my ears like the exact opposite of what zeos likes... and that’s okay.
I totally get where zeos is coming from. I bought these and literally couldn’t stand them. The soundstage was mostly non existent. Felt the like whole song was on the tip on my nose. Claustrophobic as hell. Blessings 2 were the biggest disappointments I’ve had for iems
